US7192047B2 - Trailer coupling for a vehicle - Google Patents

Trailer coupling for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US7192047B2
US7192047B2 US11/107,653 US10765305A US7192047B2 US 7192047 B2 US7192047 B2 US 7192047B2 US 10765305 A US10765305 A US 10765305A US 7192047 B2 US7192047 B2 US 7192047B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
coupling
support
trailer
trailer coupling
drawbar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US11/107,653
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English (en)
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US20050230935A1 (en
Inventor
Hans Sauermann
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE202004006228U external-priority patent/DE202004006228U1/de
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20050230935A1 publication Critical patent/US20050230935A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7192047B2 publication Critical patent/US7192047B2/en
Assigned to SAUERMANN, FRANZ reassignment SAUERMANN, FRANZ ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SAUERMANN, HANS
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01—Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/06—Ball-and-socket hitches
    • B60D1/065—Ball-and-socket hitches characterised by the hitch mechanism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/28—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/36—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers
    • B60D1/363—Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a trailer coupling for a vehicle, in particular a tractor.
  • ball-head couplings which comprise a ball head fixed on the vehicle and a ball socket on the trailer. These afford the advantage of greater driving comfort, particularly since they have only a very small coupling play. However, the hitching turns out to be relatively difficult.
  • the invention is based on the object of providing a trailer coupling of the type mentioned at the beginning which is distinguished by a simple construction and simple hitching of the trailer.
  • the coupling element is fixed on a displaceable support which is preferably supported displaceably in a housing.
  • This displaceable support is fixedly connected to a cam, so that the cam, the support and the coupling element form a fixed unit. It is therefore possible for all three parts only to be displaced together.
  • the cam is actuated by a drawbar upon its introduction into the coupling mouth, so that the support and therefore also the coupling element are displaced.
  • the coupling element is thereby transferred by the drawbar into the coupling position.
  • This trailer coupling is therefore capable of automatically hitching a trailer upon introduction of the drawbar into the coupling mouth, with the displacement mechanism of the coupling element being surprisingly simple.
  • a ball head can be used very easily as the coupling element without impairing the operability of the coupling mechanism.
  • a pick-up hook for grasping a drawbar eye, or a piton may also be used as the coupling element. If the coupling element is changed, the entire support is preferably replaced.
  • the support is supported pivotably preferably in a housing.
  • the support has a spindle which is mounted rotatably in corresponding bearings in the housing. This measure results in a very simple construction of the trailer coupling.
  • the cam In order to obtain a favorable conversion of force, it is favorable if the cam is moved essentially horizontally, particularly since the drawbar is also moved horizontally during the hitching operation.
  • the coupling element is to be moved essentially vertically in order to obtain an effective hitching-up to the drawbar.
  • the support is prestressed resiliently counter to the coupling position.
  • the coupling element is therefore situated in a release position opening up the coupling mouth, and only by the drawbar being introduced is it displaced into the coupling position.
  • the spring may be designed as a compression spring or a tension spring or as a torsion spring.
  • the securing pin penetrates a depression of the support essentially from above, then a particularly space-saving construction of the trailer coupling is produced.
  • the securing pin preferably penetrates the depression approximately above the pivot axis of the support, so that, in the region of the securing pin, the support is moved essentially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of displacement of the securing pin. This prevents the securing pin from being unintentionally displaced into a released position by the dynamic effect of the support.
  • the securing pin or the bearing surface of the support is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the direction of displacement of the securing pin.
  • the securing pin and the bearing surfaces form wedge surfaces via which a sensitive readjustment of the support and therefore of the coupling element can take place. This is particularly important in order to counteract wear on the coupling element or on the counterpart.
  • the positioning angle of these wedge surfaces is preferably selected to be sufficiently small that the transmission of force by the securing pin to the support is self-locking. This ensures that the support cannot push out the securing pin during the journey, which could stop the support being retained.
  • the said securing pin is prestressed resiliently in the direction of the locking position.
  • the coupling element is formed by a ball head.
  • This ball head is fixed on a displaceable support in order to ensure that the ball head is automatically hitched up when the drawbar is introduced.
  • the coupling play can be set by means of an adjusting screw.
  • This adjusting screw is preferably provided in the housing or intercepting mouth and is displaceable toward the drawbar.
  • an intercepting mouth is supported on the support or on the housing fixed on the vehicle. This intercepting mouth ensures that the drawbar is securely trapped and therefore facilitates the hitching operation.
  • the intercepting mouth is held pivotably about an approximately vertical axis. This prevents the trailer drawbar, in particular during maneuvering, from butting against the intercepting mouth and thereby restricting the freedom of movement of the coupling connection.
  • interacting guide surfaces are provided on the intercepting mouth and on the support. These guide surfaces are preferably designed as wedge surfaces and, during the transfer of the support into the release position, force the intercepting mouth into a neutral position. In this neutral position, the intercepting mouth is preferably oriented symmetrically with respect to the vehicle. Since the intercepting mouth is no longer pivotable in this position of the support, it can optimally guide the trailer drawbar to the coupling element. Only after the support has been transferred into the coupling position is the pivotability of the intercepting mouth released in order to again enable sufficient pivotability of the trailer drawbar with respect to the towing vehicle. In this position, however, the intercepting mouth is no longer required for trapping the trailer drawbar.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cutaway illustration of a trailer coupling in the release position
  • FIG. 2 shows the trailer coupling according to FIG. 1 in the coupling position
  • FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration through a second embodiment of a trailer coupling
  • FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional illustration of the trailer coupling according to FIG. 3 .
  • a trailer coupling 1 has a housing 2 fixed on the vehicle. It is also envisaged, in principle, to support the housing 2 in a vertically displaceable manner on the towing vehicle in order to enable better adaptation to a trailer.
  • the connection of the housing 2 to the vehicle or to a vertical-displacement device preferably takes place via a shank or screws, which are left out in the figures for the purpose of simplification.
  • An intercepting mouth 3 which guides a drawbar 4 is integrally formed on the housing 2 .
  • the drawbar 4 has a universal ball joint 5 which interacts with a ball head 6 arranged in the housing 2 .
  • This ball head 6 forms the coupling element 6 of the trailer coupling 1 .
  • the ball head 6 is fixed on a support 7 which is supported in the housing 2 in a manner such that it can pivot about an axis 8 .
  • a cam 9 is also provided on the support 7 , said cam being displaced by the penetrating universal ball joint 5 , with the support 7 being carried along. The effect achieved by this is that the horizontal movement of the universal ball joint 5 during introduction of the drawbar 4 into the coupling mouth 10 is converted into an essentially vertical movement of the coupling head 6 .
  • the cam 9 slides along the outer surface of the universal ball joint 5 in order to set the required displacement paths for the coupling element 6 .
  • the support 7 is prestressed into the release position by means of a compression spring 11 .
  • a tension spring (indicated in FIG. 2 ) may also be used.
  • a torsion spring (not illustrated) in the region of the axis 8 in order to prestress the support 7 .
  • the abovementioned springs may be used in simple or multiple form and also in combination with one another in order to obtain a construction of the trailer coupling 1 which is as compact as possible, together with high operational reliability.
  • a threaded hole 13 in which an adjusting screw 14 is screwed, is provided on the upper side.
  • This adjusting screw 14 serves to manually set a play between the ball head 6 and the universal ball joint 5 .
  • the support 7 has a hole 15 in which a securing pin 16 can penetrate.
  • This securing pin 16 is aligned with respect to the hole 15 in the coupling position illustrated in FIG. 2 .
  • the securing pin 16 is prestressed in an axially displaceable and resilient manner against the support 7 , so that, in the coupling position, it penetrates the hole 15 and retains the support 7 . An unintentional release of the coupling element 16 is therefore ruled out.
  • the support 7 has a depression 17 in the upper region, in which the securing pin 16 engages from above.
  • the securing pin 16 can be displaced vertically and is pre-stressed against the support 7 by a spring 18 . This results in a particularly compact construction of the trailer coupling 1 .
  • a buffer 19 is provided in the housing 2 and presses from above against the universal joint 5 .
  • This buffer 19 consists of a rubber having a high Shore hardness, so that it can exert a permanent pressure against the universal joint 5 .
  • the intercepting mouth 3 is held in a manner such that it can pivot about a vertical axis 20 in order to ensure sufficient pivotability of the trailer drawbar 4 .
  • the intercepting mouth 3 is supported on rotary joints 21 on the housing 2 .
  • the pivot axis 20 of the intercepting mouth 3 passes through the ball central point 22 when the latter is in the coupling position. This ensures optimum orientation of the intercepting mouth 3 during maneuvering of the vehicle.
  • Webs 23 which are directed upward toward the pivot axis 20 on the towing vehicle and which interact with the support 7 are provided on the intercepting mouth 3 .
  • the webs 23 and the support 7 have guide surfaces 24 which correspond to one another and, during pivoting of the support 7 into the release position, force the coupling mouth 3 into the neutral position illustrated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Regulating Braking Force (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
US11/107,653 2004-04-16 2005-04-14 Trailer coupling for a vehicle Expired - Lifetime US7192047B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE202004006228.3 2004-04-16
DE202004006228U DE202004006228U1 (de) 2004-04-16 2004-04-16 Anhängerkupplung für ein Fahrzeug
EP04023428.8 2004-10-01
EP04023428A EP1586469B1 (fr) 2004-04-16 2004-10-01 Attelage de remorque pour un véhicule

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050230935A1 US20050230935A1 (en) 2005-10-20
US7192047B2 true US7192047B2 (en) 2007-03-20

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/107,653 Expired - Lifetime US7192047B2 (en) 2004-04-16 2005-04-14 Trailer coupling for a vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7192047B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2501219C (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070069502A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-29 Buyers Products Company Gooseneck trailer coupler
US20090303512A1 (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-10 Xerox Corporation Automated imposition for print jobs with exception pages
US20110101645A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Williams Jr Thomas M Teleswivel Hitch Apparatus
US20120119468A1 (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-05-17 Moline Da Luz Wenceslao Vehicle Coupling Device
US8302987B2 (en) 2010-11-04 2012-11-06 Williams Innovations, Llc Adjustable towing apparatus for vehicles
US20130140793A1 (en) * 2011-12-06 2013-06-06 Saf-Holland, Inc. Flange mount drawbar with self-aligning snubber
US8905425B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2014-12-09 Teleswivel, Llc Hitch apparatus for vehicles

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080222522A1 (en) * 2007-03-05 2008-09-11 Xerox Corporation Method of background form print submission for document enhancement
US8235411B2 (en) * 2008-10-13 2012-08-07 B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. Self-latching and locking trailer coupler
DE102010000786A1 (de) * 2010-01-11 2011-07-14 Jost-Werke GmbH, 63263 Anhängekupplung
DE202012002539U1 (de) * 2012-03-14 2013-06-17 Hans Sauermann Anhängerkupplung für ein Fahrzeug
US9820541B2 (en) * 2012-12-31 2017-11-21 Samsonite Ip Holdings S.A R.L. Wheeled luggage case arrangement
CN106827985B (zh) * 2016-12-16 2023-10-03 约斯特（中国）汽车部件有限公司 牵引钩自动闭合装置、牵引装置及牵引装置的打开方式
CN110744976A (zh) * 2019-10-10 2020-02-04 安徽一飞重工有限公司 一种拖挂房车用耦合连接装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6164681A (en) * 1998-10-08 2000-12-26 Grammer; Val Automatic hitch coupler
WO2004071792A1 (fr) * 2003-02-12 2004-08-26 Scharmueller Josef Dispositif d'attelage pour vehicules de traction

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6164681A (en) * 1998-10-08 2000-12-26 Grammer; Val Automatic hitch coupler
WO2004071792A1 (fr) * 2003-02-12 2004-08-26 Scharmueller Josef Dispositif d'attelage pour vehicules de traction

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070069502A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-29 Buyers Products Company Gooseneck trailer coupler
US7378013B2 (en) * 2005-09-15 2008-05-27 Buyers Products Company Gooseneck trailer coupler
US20090303512A1 (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-10 Xerox Corporation Automated imposition for print jobs with exception pages
US20110101645A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Williams Jr Thomas M Teleswivel Hitch Apparatus
US8905425B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2014-12-09 Teleswivel, Llc Hitch apparatus for vehicles
US8925954B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2015-01-06 Teleswivel, Llc Hitch apparatus for vehicles
US20120119468A1 (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-05-17 Moline Da Luz Wenceslao Vehicle Coupling Device
US8622414B2 (en) * 2010-10-06 2014-01-07 Wenceslao Moline da Luz Vehicle coupling device
US8302987B2 (en) 2010-11-04 2012-11-06 Williams Innovations, Llc Adjustable towing apparatus for vehicles
US8789842B2 (en) 2010-11-04 2014-07-29 Teleswivel, Llc Weight distribution hitch apparatus
US20130140793A1 (en) * 2011-12-06 2013-06-06 Saf-Holland, Inc. Flange mount drawbar with self-aligning snubber
US8608187B2 (en) * 2011-12-06 2013-12-17 Saf-Holland, Inc. Flange mount drawbar with self-aligning snubber

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2501219A1 (fr) 2005-10-16
US20050230935A1 (en) 2005-10-20
CA2501219C (fr) 2008-08-12

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